Inner Development

Behind every human action there is thought, memory, and emotion. The awareness of this process lies at the heart of spiritual growth and maturity. Like a bee to a flower, such an awareness brings one towards selflessness and compassion–the heart of spirituality.

As a spiritual center, Sage Mountain encourages questioning, observation, and curiosity about oneself and the world. We do not affiliate ourselves with a particular religious tradition, psychological structure, or worldview. Rather, we seek to explore questions, and endeavor to provide people with an environment conducive to reflection and contemplation.

An important tool to nurture this curiosity and openness is meditation. Meditation is not easy; however, it is a simple and powerful means of bringing us in direct contact with ourselves and surroundings.

Meditation

There are a myriad of meditation techniques geared toward various ends. Sage Mountain Center encourages the two most basic forms: Sitting Meditation and Meditative Awareness. Sitting Meditation or “just sitting” is a disciplined examination of being. This simple yet profound practice is free of ritual and compliments any religious or non-religious practice. During sitting meditation one practices just being. This practice is not necessarily for self-improvement, but to befriend who we already are, to embrace all that is, moment to moment. A practice of being present, of learning not to escape, allows us to develop an acceptance of reality. Compassion arises as we recognize that we are not separate from others, in the deepest sense.

The second form of meditation practiced at Sage Mountain Center is Meditative Awareness. This form of meditation is done all the time: in the shower, driving, playing with the kids, shopping, or any other activity. It involves being aware of one’s thoughts, feeling, and emotions in a non-judgmental manner. We observe ourselves as if listening to another’s conversation or watching somebody else live their life. Meditative awareness reveals the conditioned patterns which contribute to inner conflict, fear, and suffering. “Seeing” the activities of our daily living is all we need to be fully awake, fully alive humans. The ordinary activities of daily life are used to stimulate spiritual growth and a sincere concern for others.

The freedom of meditative awareness coupled with the discipline of sitting meditation provides the foundation by which balance and equilibrium are discovered.